Ginowan City, U.S. military leadership foster cooperation, understanding

Photo By Sgt. Jessica Collins | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Leadership from Camp Foster, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and the Ginowan City Mayor and his staff pose for a photo Nov. 29 at Terra Restaurant aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Leaders met for a biannual meeting to discuss concerns in the community, education initiatives and community involvement. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Collins)  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

11.29.2018

Story by Sgt. Jessica Collins 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Leadership from Camp Foster, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa hosted Ginowan City Mayor Masanori Matsugawa and his staff for a semiannual discussion Nov. 29 at Terra Restaurant aboard Camp Foster.
“When Ginowan City presented the idea for this semiannual meeting 11 years ago, we realized there’s a lot we can accomplish here,” said Col. Vincent Ciuccoli, the Camp Foster and Lester camp commander, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan.
During the meeting leadership discussed concerns in the community, education initiatives and community involvement.
“Sometimes there is a cultural gap between the two countries of Japan and the U.S.,” said Matsugawa. “I believe this meeting can help fill that gap and makes things better. We bring our concerns and talk freely to help solve problems. Hopefully by talking closely, we can avoid a misunderstanding between the two of us and create friendships.”
During the meeting the most popular item of discussion was the friendly rivalry between MCAS Futenma Marines and the Ginowan City Fire Department in the upcoming annual Ginowan City Traffic Safety Campaign Road Race, which highlights the importance of road safety.
“Even if we’re just talking about fun things like holidays and races, the relationship deepens,” said Ciuccoli. “That means when an issue pops up it’s really easy to handle because it’s like your talking to friends.”

• Date Taken: 11.29.2018
• Date Posted: 11.30.2018 02:49
• Story ID: 301754
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP